Saturday, December 24, 2005

TWQ: Christmas Presents & Memories

As this is the Season of Goodwill, The Weekend Question (TWQ) looks at presents. Because it is the holiday period, this will extend until the evening of Tuesday 27th, English time.

Though all presents are given with good intentions, what are the best presents and the most pointless Christmas presents you have ever had? What did you do with the ones you didn't have?

Here is my answer:

The best presents I ever had were when I was young. The spirit of Christmas made everything seem wonderful. I looked forward to the many comic annuals that I received and the latest toys and games that I drooled over in the shops. Naturally, my parents had no part in all this, as it was Santa Claus who delivered them all. 'Mouse Trap', 'Lego' etc were all examples of this.
During this time, a friend of my father gave me 'Robinson Crusoe'. This seemed to be a very pointless novel, as I hadn't been asked what sort of things I read. That said, I am now a prolific reader.

Lately, the best Christmas present was a Bose clock radio. This was a top of the range model and a real surprise.

I have never passed on any presents; the only ones that have moved on are clothes that are not quite my size or were not quite my style and changed them for something else.

And now another bonus game to keep you entertained::

I have borrowed this from Craziequeen

WRITE A FICTIONAL REMEMBRANCE FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

RULES: If your eyes are passing over this right now, (even if we don't speak often) please post a comment here on my blog with a COMPLETELY MADE UP AND FICTIONAL CHRISTMAS MEMORY of you and me. It can be anything you want - good or bad - BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE.

And, if you feel like it, when you're finished leaving your comment, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) with the memories people create....(isn't this fun?)


Now it's over to you...

I wish all visitors a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.


41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wishing you a very merry Christmas! Here via Michele!

The lamest gifts have to be those "gift sets" of bubble bath and perfume. No real thought appears to have ever gone into those (and this is speaking as one who has bought those items myself previously for family members!) The best gift ever...hmmm...that's a toughie. When I was a kid I would have to say toys and games. As a young adult it was the birth of my son, just a week before Christmas. Nowadays I am just thankful if I wake up in the morning and I don't see candles or smell roses.

Jaime said...

The best presents I got were, I suppose, the ones I got as a kid, because back then Christmas presents were a big deal, more so than they are now.

The best that I remember were from one Christmas when I got a typewriter (a plastic kid's version) and a camera (C-126 film). I had asked for both, and was surprised and delighted to get both. I don't recall ever believing that Santa was real, so I could never understand why my parents bothered to ask me what I wanted if they weren't going to get it. But that year, they did, and it was very cool.

Worst presents: clothes. I've never been a big clothes-a-holic, and getting clothes at Christmas always seemed like getting gypped. I mean, parents are supposed to buy you socks anyways. Wrapping them up and putting them under the tree seemed like a cop-out.

These days, the thought behind the present means more to me than the present itself. Though, I did get a gift card to a bookstore this year, which, I have to say, is a really great present.

Happy holidays, Captain!

craziequeen said...

This is a tough one, J-L. I get the feeling people will be back again and again to renew their thoughts...

Best Christmas Present? I dunno, everyone has always been so generous over the years. I can't pick out just one.

Lamest? Easy. Smellies or alcohol from people who don't know me very well. Those usually get passed on as I have allergies! :-(

cq
Here from Michele's - sort of - this tiime - be back later :-)

craziequeen said...

You remember that time time Beverley stood you up? Wes had a zit and needed Mommy TLC.
You called me up, my diary was empty (go figure!), so I hot-footed it over to Captain's Quarters.
You were so hacked off we spent the evening drinking bloodwine and fooling around.....

by the way - did you ever meet my son John Luke?

[snigger]

cq

craziequeen said...

Blogging Ping-Pong....... :-)

I thought that Santa was Dr Noonien Soong, honest....

How about that time I wanted to see fireworks at Christmas, so you took me down to see the warpcore one quiet evening, you turned the deck lights off and we sat in the luminous, flickering green light sipping champagne and fell in love?

whatever happened to *us*.......

[sigh]

cq

craziequeen said...

oh yeah........[spits]
.......Beverley.....

cq

Dak-Ind said...

LMAO at CQ.

my best christmas gift?
when i was 14 i got a cousin for christmas. he was 10. one christmas day, during dinner some harrassed looking woman knocked on my grandfathers door seeking my uncle. of course since it was christmas he was there. we all were. after about 20 minutes uncle jim came in looking stunned and grandpa went outside to speak to the woman. he came back in with a ten year old boy. james. uncle jims son. we had NO IDEA, neither did uncle jim. james went to live with uncle jim. no one has seen the woman who dropped him off (his mother) since.

the fondest memory of you on christmas? well it had to have been when you gave wesley and i matching sweaters, and he got so upset about his sweater being so girly that he went off and pouted in a jefferies tube the rest of the day! at least it got him to shut up, huh. (sorry wil)

kenju said...

When I was six, a friend of our family gave me a portable typewriter. At the time, it was just a novelty; little did I know how important it would become in my life (especially now). Presents that I consider lame are the little knick-knacks people give with no thought or care to what you like or need. They go to Goodwill!

Merry Christmas!

Chrixean said...

I can't really say which are the best presents simply because I consider the presents that came from my loved ones (read: presents that were well-thought of) as the best ones :-)

Merry Christmas!!! :D

here from Michele's

HRH Courtney, Queen of Everything said...

The best presents were the ones I never expected. Like having a star named after me.

Do you remember, Captain, that trip to Venus after too many cups of egg nog? THAT was interesting...

Here via Michele. Merry Christmas.

BarbaraFromCalifornia said...

My best gift this year was having my daughter home, and realizing not to expect anything from others.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Lucy Stern said...

The best Christmas present to me is to have my children home for Christmas. Now that they are older, it is hard to get everyone together. The worst Christmas presents are those that were picked out at the last minute and had no thought to them.

Jean-Luc, don't you remember the Christmas we went to the Hollowdeck and had our Christmas up in the mountains around a fireplace, with eggnog? The Children enjoy being with their uncle so much that they want to do it again. The hike you took them on was so much fun...Can't we do it again? Please!

craziequeen said...

Here I am again.......like the proverbial bad penny.....

I don't suppose you have Data's phone number handy?
Seeing as you and I are now a lost cause....[big sigh]
You know, after that disastrous Christmas with Deanna's mother and my accident with the transporter...

cq

craziequeen said...

NOT my fault - you posted on Michele at the exact same time I did.....and got on there a nano-second before me!

cq
[Michele sent me.....even though I went the long way around via mike and fuzz!]

Nic said...

My dear Captain Picard, I don't really know what the best and worst presents were b/c I don't keep track of that stuff now that I'm older - um, I'd have to say the most embarrassing was and still is, my mom would put panties in my stocking every year since I was a little girl so it became a Christmas tradition, even when I had boyfriends spending Christmas Eve with us (we open our presents Christmas Eve, not day in our family) I would have the panties in the stocking. Now, it is a tradition that I have passed on my my own little girl. LOL. And I'll embarrass her just as much as my own mom did me. :)

My memory of you, well, it continues to be an ongoing memory dear Captain. Nobody really knows the kind heart of you b/c you come across as so stalwart and leaderiffic, but every time I have taken a trip to visit the crew via the time/space continuum, I can pretty much forget about talking to Counselor Troi about my issues.

You have become like a father figure to me and have always been very kind, listening to me and giving me advice. You said one time under the influence of some rather fine 50 year old scotch it was because someone was finally coming to you for a listening ear and some advice instead of trying to solve their problems by themselves and leaving you feeling like nothing more than the official "figurehead" of the Enterprise. To be looked at and followed because of rank but not taken seriously as a person. It's been nice to help you out in that capacity.

Now, if I could give you some advice...

RE: the delicious Beverly, have some of that fine scotch before your dinner and let your mouth say what it will. You never know what could happen, you could just possibly find the lasting love of your life if you let your feelings be known for once instead of hiding behind your uniform.

Have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and may it be a wonderful Christmas to remember!

Chatty said...

The same to you! My best Christmas present is that my pooch survived surgery and gets to enjoy his Christmas bounty with us!

Michele sent me today.

Running2Ks said...

I remember getting gifts that were really for little kids when I was nearly a teenager. I also remember getting perfect gifts--like rollerskates or a bike.

***

FAKE MEMORY:

I remember that time when I had to go undercover for the CIA to infiltrate Santa's house and determine if the leaders of our nation were on the good or naughty list. Maybe I shouldn't have told them the truth.

Running2Ks said...

I nominated you for a BOB award in humor :)

dddragon said...

Lamest? The clothes that my in-laws got me. No matter how long we've known each other, they never get me anything I would ever actually want to be seen in.

Best? Too many - I'm otherwise easily pleased, if it ain't clothing.

My best memory of you is the time you rescued me from Q after the Christmas party. I really think that newbies on the Enterprise should be informed of this entity when we come on board!

Jen said...

Merry Christmas!

Remember when we hung out on Christmas Eve and watched James Bond movies until dawn, and then slept through Christmas? It would have been OK, but you were supposed to be on the bridge.

I know it was uncomfortable, but I have to admit it was pretty funny listening to you trying to explain to Starfleet Command that you just HAD to find out if SPECTRE would be defeated in the end...

FRIDAY'S CHILD said...

Hmm...this question is making me think years ago. As a kid I had lots of presents and all of them were the best to me.
Now as an adult, I don't think it's more of ther receiving as mostly at our age, it is more of the giving.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO YOU!!!!

Jon the Intergalactic Gladiator said...

Remember that one time when I was on the Enterprise for Christmas? It was a nice holiday party, a warm fire was in the hearth, gifts were exchanged and eggnog was being consumed. Suddenly, a call came from the bridge, "Captain, Admiral Anderson is hailing us. It's a priority!"

Quickly we ran to the bridge, "On screen," you commanded.

"Captain," the Admiral's image flickered to life. "It is good to see you. I wish that I could offer more pleasantries, but an emergency situation just developed and we need your help."

"What is it Admiral?"

"The ferengi just kidnapped santa Claus."

Jardena said...

My fondest Christmas Memory of myself and the Captain. It was many years ago, before we were intergalactic military folk. We were young and optimistic, eager for what life had to offer. We were also the primary dancers for a little known ballet school. We were stuck performing a Klingon interpretation of the ‘Nutcracker’ that Christams. Despite the real rats, toy guns that weren’t toys, and the orchestra pit was filled with angry Klingon hecklers, we had a decent time. We’d help each other with our stage make up, adjust each others outfits, and dance our little hearts out. Christmas isn’t fully appreciated until you’ve had a guy stick his hand under your skirt and heft you above his head while twirling in front of hundreds of unimpressed Klingons. I cherish that memory, Jean-Luc.
Kisses,
Jardena Oneida

Viamarie said...

Receiving any kind of gift as a child was really a memorable event. As an adult, just like what Friday's Child said, I enjoy giving more than receiving especially if they are given to kids.

I wish you the merriest and most joyful holiday ever and may I hope the blessing of Christmas will bring better things for 2006.

Jean-Luc Picard said...

Great presents and memories (I remember them all!)

It's now Christmas morning here...

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Anonymous said...

Best gift: new bike when I was twelve.
Worst: wearing the sweater I got the year prior, I opened my gift and pulled out the exact same sweater from the same people. They took it back to exchange for something else, but I never got the "new" gift.

ribbiticus said...

a blessed christmas to you and yours, jean-luc.

remember when you decided to go on a drinking binge at a party you were hosting and eventually ran your car into your pool? you were so smashed you kept saying you were elvis and proceeded to treat the whole roomful of guests to a mini-concert! funny thing was, you didn't remember how you got that don't be cruel tattoo on your butt. to this day, we still have that hanging over your head. someday, it'll be very useful...hohoho! :)

cyouincourt007 said...

Merry Christmas and a safe New Year to all....Cyaaaaaaa : )

rashbre said...

Passing through your part of the galaxy this evening.
Season's greetings!
rashbre

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas! I hope you've had a wonderful day :)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Hi There...CQ got it from me, and I got the Original version, (I made mine a Christmas Memory) from Bahkti..so now I've written about 7 of these fake rememberences cause everyone is doing this...(LOL) It is a lot of fun....But I hope you will forgive me Captain, I'm all fake-remberenced out!
Hope your Christmas was a truly wonderful one!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I forgot to say, Michele sent me tonight!

Anonymous said...

The best presents were always the ones from my grandmother, who passed away last year. She always made sure that her grandchildren got exactly what they asked for. But this year, the best gift I received was a digital camera. I can't really think of any unpleasant gifts, as they were all from the heart. My mom manages to pick out clothes for me that I wouldn't have bought myself but always end up loving.

Valerie said...

My best present ever was a barbie dream house when I was about 8.
The worst presents are the ones you know were bought just to be bought and no thought went into them.

Michele sent me today.

samuel said...

I forget the exact trail of blogs that led me here, though it was Michelle's that got me here exactly. I won't bore you with following the back button to the original blog link.
That said, it's good to find you again Captain. You might not remember that Christmas Eve when we met. I was in my cruiser, running some Tennessee moonshine from Starfleet space into an outer quadrant. You were an ensign if I remember correctly. Starfleet had assigned the ship you were on to locate me. I set up a dummy droid to lead you away from me, but you didn't fall for it. I learned later that you were assigned to quarters for arguing with your captain. You somehow recognized my emission signature, even with my masking agents working. No one had ever caught me before.
In a foolish and youthful moment, you beamed yourself to my ship, and I still don't know how you got a transporter lock. You should never have found me with those masking agents.
Anyway, having basically gone AWOL, completely disregarding your captains orders, you materialized on my bridge, phaser out, and proceeded to place us all under arrest.
My first mate of course clubbed you on the back of the head.
While you were unconscious, we became entangled with some creature, some entity I guess, that we could not identify. There was no record in Starfleet of this thing, and to make it all better, this was one angry malevolent SOB.
You know what you did Jean Luc, and no explanation ever really made sense to me. Your cold, analytical mind figured out what my staff couldn't. We certainly weren't a science vessel, though we did have access to every major knowledge bank, Starfleet library, and so on.
My cruisers have always been the fastest, and that was all that kept us from the thing. We figured a way to track it, to stay ahead of it, but we couldn't fully escape it. Whatever it was, it seemed a half step behind. None of my weapons could even touch it. I was a smuggler, part time pirate. I had a lovely cache of close combat weapons, but the cruiser was made for running fast, getting away from the fight. My cloak device, top of the line back then, didn't for one moment fool the thing.
I was running out of ideas when you finally roused yourself. I was never impressed with Starfleet till I saw you in action that day.
Anyway, thanks again for saving my ass that day. I suppose that's probably my favorite Christmas present, not being supper.
And for what it's worth, I'm sorry we ditched you on Alohon. I knew that Starfleet would find you, but I honestly couldn't have them find me. Hope you didn't get in too much trouble.
I never thought I'd talk to you again, so imagine my surprise at finding your blog here. Did you ever find out what the thing was? I haven't seen another, though as a smuggler, you see some crazy stuff, especially when you hit the fringes where the Starfleet ships start to thin out a little.

Ciera said...

The best presents are ones that don't get regifted [hey, if I don't like it, but I have a friend that will...why not?]. Of course, the worst ones are of the usual run...stomach bugs, clothes that don't fit or are so ghastly you pray they don't fit...etc....

Fake memory:
there was that one time when it was you and I trapped in the runabout and we spent the time trying to fix the transporter and in the down time we drank whatever fizzy water the replicator would produce and tried to beat each other in a game of "Name that Christmas Carol"...and my memory fades shortly afterwards......... {{{eyebrow wraggle}}}

Lori said...

The best x-mas present I ever got was the year hubby asked me to marry him....

Ahhhh memories.....Remember the time in highschool when you pushed me in the broomcloset so I wouldn't tell Cindy Lou how much you liked her??....LOL

Have a great day!!!

Janet said...

Wow, this site is actually inspired by Jean Luc. Who would've thunk it? I'm here through Michele!:)

Anonymous said...

Hi! Thanks for the very kind comment you left in my blog today :) It really brightened my day! Your blog is kind of confusing to me, but then, I don't know much about Star Trek. I like it though (even though it baffles me :D)! Anyhow, I'm glad I visited, and am glad you got a Bose radio - Bose rocks :D

Jean-Luc Picard said...

You've all done really well with the list of presents and all the memories that you've recalled.

With all the memories, I have had a busy life!

M. C. Pearson said...

Oh, Cappie! Remember the Christmas that we went snowboarding in the Himalayas and the Abominable Snowman helped you after you crashed into his lair? He patched you up but we really had a tough time breathing his stench. Then he got all mad about our gagging and pushed us over the cliff. Good thing we had those parachutes with us. The ski lodge never looked so good.